This blog is to help local photographers find events that are photogenic, a possible opportunity to get the camera out and get a few great shots. If you know of upcoming events in Southern California, Email them to cowtech@earthlink.net

Tuesday, September 2, 2014

Through September 28 Los Angeles County Fair - Pomona
Runs through Sept 28. Includes carnival, entertainment, fairway, exhibitions, livestock, and horse racing. They have a large photography exhibit. http://www.lacountyfair.com/2014/

Sept 6-7 - Toshiba Tall Ships Festival - Dana Point
This year, the Ocean Institute is celebrating its 30th year hosting the Toshiba Tall Ships Festival! Come and explore the majesty and wonder of tall ships through the smells, sounds and sights of real working tall ships. Interactive living-history encampments including blacksmiths, scrimshaw artists, and the infamous Port Royal Privateers are sure to entertain and amaze guests of all ages and are not to be missed. www.tallshipsfestival.com.

Sept 7 - Belmont Shore Car Show - Long Beach
Pre 1975 hot rods and custom cars, food. The show is held on 2nd Street in Belmont Shore which is part of Long Beach. A large number of blocks of 2nd Street are closed off for the day and the show takes place on the city street. The show draws about 700 vehicles and boasts a huge number of street vendors selling automotive related goods as well as many other things. Because the show draws a huge spectator crowd, it has a terrific amount of excitement and energy. This one is not to be missed whether you have a car or just come to look at cars. The level of quality of the cars at this show is second to none. If you want to see a huge number of the finest rods, muscle cars, and customs to be found in Southern California, you don't want to miss this show. www.baycityrodders.com.

Sept 20 - Old West Days - Randsburg
Each September the Rand Desert Museum hosts the RAND DISTRICT OLD WEST DAYS, which is a street fair held on the main street of Randsburg, It features Western and Bluegrass bands playing live, vendors of all sorts of items and other forms of entertainment including reenactments by the Old West Mounted Lawman. http://www.randdesertmuseum.com/

Sept 19-20 - Wavecrest Woodie Meet (car show) - Encinitas
More than 300 woodie Cars, live music and entertainment. This is the largest of the Woodie Shows. Events at several locations including Moonlight Beach. www.sandiegowoodies.com. Starts at 8AM.

Sept 20 Cruise Aboard the Lane Victory, WWII Ship - San Pedro
The Lane Victory is a WWII Merchant Marine Ship built in 1945 and docked at San Pedro. Normally a museum, it sails out to Catalina Island and back several times a year. I did this cruise several years ago and had a blast. Lunch is served along with drinks. WWII entertainment and re-enactors on board, German spy is captured and the ship will be attacked by WWII German aircraft on the way back and saved by the US planes. Lots to photograph and a fun day. Located at Berth 49 in San Pedro. LA Fire Boats greet the ship on the way into port--blowing water. http://www.lanevictory.com Start boarding 7:30 fir 8:30 departure.

SO CAL PHOTO OPPS OCTOBER 2014Sept 26 - Nov 2 - Horse Racing - Santa Anita Horse racing fall season at Santa Anita, Closing Day Nov. 3rd. Great place to spend a morning photographing. Get there early at Clockers Corner to see all the horses going out to the track to warm up. You can get some really close images. They generally have tours of the barns and other areas of the race track which is free. First race is 1:00 PM.

Oct 4-5 San Dimas Rodeo - San Dimas Will be held Saturday October 5 and Sunday October 6th, The gates will open at 11:00. AM Events Begin At 1:00 PM at the Tex Shoemaker Rodeo Arena at Horsethief Canyon Park. http://sandimasrodeo.com

October 4-5 - MCAS Miramar Air Show - San Diego Blue Angels perform, parachute teams, wing walkers and other military and civilian flights. Marine Corps Air Station Miramar. www.miramarairshow.com

Oct 5 - Aquarium of the Pacific Photographers Night - Long Beach Now is your chance to take the photos you have always wanted. Back by popular demand, on this night, the Aquarium will be available to photographers for the sole purpose of getting their dream photos without having to worry about the general public either getting in their shots or being bothered by their equipment. Take your time, set up your shots, and enjoy. In order to create the best environment for our photographers, we will be limiting ticket sales. We highly encourage you to purchase your tickets ahead of time to guarantee a spot or you may be turned away at the door. Normally, lights begin to dim as 9:00 p.m. approaches, but on this night, the lights will remain on in all the exhibits in order to provide the best opportunities for photography.*Cost: $28.95 per person, $26.95 for Aquarium members. No other discounts or special offers will be accepted for this evening.

Oct 17-18-19 - Tournament of the Phoenix - Poway On October 17, 18 & 19, 2014 the Poway Rodeo Grounds will be transformed into a scene from 'A Knight's Tale' as six armored knights from across the globe meet for an international competition. The Tournament of the Phoenix is a weekend long Jousting and Combat event sanctioned by England's Royal Armories Museum-Leeds. Competitors will accumulate points as they battle it out in a series of grueling events. The tournament will test the combatants' prowess and stamina as they pit themselves against each other in foot combat with axes, mounted melee, and four sessions of jousting. The event also showcases the "Festival of History", where over one hundred members of the Southwest's premier Living History associations will present a living time line of history spanning Rome through the European Renaissance. A medieval bagpipe band lends to the festive atmosphere as they perform throughout the day. 'Hands on History' activities for all ages, vendors offering a range of goods and delicious food assure a day full of fun for event goers. Poway Rodeo Grounds, 14336 Tierra Bonita Road. www.worldjoust.com

Oct 25-26 - Gunfight Behind The Jersey Lilly - Corona/Norco Put on by The Cowboys, www.thecowboys.org. They are the oldest and largest Cowboy Action Shooting Club in the world. They meet monthly for matches, wear authentic western gear. This event is free and has a lot to offer for the photographer. A few years ago we went and got a lot of cowboy pics, Indian dancers and we were able to take pictures of the shooting competition. Bring some safety glasses if you want to take pictures of the shooters. Mike Raahauge Shooting Enterprises 14995 River Rd., Corona, CA 92880

Welcome to SoCal Photo Opps

Most all avid photographers are always looking for places to go to get new and good pictures. I have put together this blog to try and get the word out of upcoming events. Having been a member of many camera clubs over the years I know how it is, looking for someplace to photograph at the last moment.

This Blog is intended to list events of a photographic nature. It is not for listing classes, training or commercial ventures.

If you know of a good photographic event, you can share it with others by Emailing me at cowtech@earthlink.net

The Fine Print

SoCal Photo Opps is a place for photographers to find events in the area that might be photogenic and be worthy hauling out the camera.

Information posted on SoCal Photo Opps is gathered from personal observations, venue websites, web searches and information provided by other photographers. While every effort has been made to verify the accuracy of the information posted here, the operaters can not be held responsible for errors in dates and times posted.